LUTHER WALLACE WIBLE. About three miles southwest of Kendallville is located the home farm of L. Wallace Wible, a place interesting for the enterprise of its owner, who ranks as one of Indiana's largest onion growers and shippers. His father raised and shipped the first carload of onions from Noble County. That was in 1887, and onion growing has been a part of the Wible family industry for over forty years. His father set an example which in after years stimulated onion growing on a commercial scale. For many years Northern Indiana has ranked as one of the leading sections in the Union in the production of onions, and in Noble County no one has contributed more to the promotion of this branch of agriculture than the Wibles.

Mr. L. Wallace Wible was born in Allen Township, Noble County, December 7, 1880, son of C. L. and Verda (Halferty) Wible. His father died in 1909 and his mother in 1925. The founder of the Wible family in Noble County was John Wible, who came from Pennsylvania to Indiana after his marriage, and settled in Allen Township in 1850. He married Lucinda Varner. Their son, C. L. Wible, was born May 26, 1852, and lived an industrious life as a capable farmer. He was an official in the English Lutheran Church and a Republican in politics. The two sons were L. Wallace and Roy E. Roy was for a number of years in the service of the United States Government in Colorado.

L. Wallace Wible has always lived at the old Wible homestead. He was educated in local schools, and after reaching his majority he bought the home farm of eighty acres, and he owns another farm in the same township, comprising 160 acres and thirty acres in Jefferson Township of Noble County. Mr. Wible is one of the recognize authorities on everything connected with growing, handling and marketing onions. Part of his land has always been in that crop and for several years his average production has been taken from about 180 acres. At his home he has an onion storage house and owns another large plant for storage purposes, located on the Pennsylvania Railroad at Lisbon, a half a mile from his farm. From these storage plants his onions are shipped to all parts of the United States. Mr. Wible is a Republican in politics and is a citizen whose public spirit has led him to participate in many movements for the betterment of the schools, the roads and the general improvement of country life conditions.

He married, March 23, 1902, Miss Minnie Pearl Rimmel, daughter of A. J. Rimmel. Their only child, Orville Ronald, born April 23, 1904, was drowned at Skinner Lake in 1921.

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INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


MRS. JESSIE M. MAUCK is librarian of the Owensville Public Library and has lived all her life in that community.

She is a daughter of William Henry and Victoria Montgomery and a member of one of the old families of Gibson County. Mrs. Mauck attended the grade and high schools of Owensvile, the Princeton Normal, and was a teacher for seven years. She was married to Mr. A. V. Mauck, of Owensville, and has one daughter, Myra J., who is now Mrs. Maurice Davis, living near Owensville.

The assistant librarian at Owensville is Mrs. M. P. Boren, daughter of James C. and Elizabeth (Stone) Pruitt, both of whom were born in Gibson County. Mrs. Boren is a graduate of the Owensville High School and the University of Indiana. She has two daughters, both graduates of the State University, Martha and Alice, graduating with the class of 1929. Mr. M. P. Boren was postmaster of Owensville for eight years. He died in September, 1928.

The members of the first board of the public library at Owensville were C. B. Smith, president, David Wallace, vice president, A. W. Thompson, secretary, R. W. Speck, Grant Teal, Larkin Mauck and J. W. Mauck.

The present library board membership is: Dr. B. B. Brasford, president, Charles N. Emerson, vice president, Mrs. W. B. Johnson, secretary, R. A. Smith, Miss E. M. Gregroo, Mrs. Florence Leonard and Clifton Wheelhouse.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


REV. BASIL HEUSLER, O. S. B. One of the scholarly divines of the Roman Catholic Church in Indiana, Rev. Basil Heusler, O. S. B., dean of the Jasper district, pastor of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, was born at Laufen, Canton of Berne, Switzerland, December 25, 1860. When he was ten years old he was brought to the United States by his parents, who located at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended the parochial schools, the Saint Lawrence College in Wisconsin and the seminary at Saint Meinrad, Indiana, and was ordained to the priesthood May 20, 1883. His first parish was at Saint Anthony, Dubois County, Indiana, where he remained from 1885 to 1898, during that period building up the church both spiritually and materially. In 1898 he came to Jasper and here he has since continued his good work, making the parish of Saint Joseph one of the most important and influential ones in the diocese.

There are two assistants at Saint Joseph's Church, Rev. Roman Roeper, O. S. B., and Rev. Fintan Baltz, O. S. B.

Rev. Roman Roeper, O. S. B. was born November 28, 1877; ordained May 28, 1904, and has been assistant to Father Heusler since 1915.

Rev. Fintan Baltz as born at Nashville, Tennessee, August 24, 1894; ordained June 7, 1927, and has been assistant to Father Heusler since September 1, 1927.

The church property, including the church edifice, priest's residence, the parochial school building and the new Sisters Home, are valued at approximately $500,000, and the pupils of the school have a high standing in other institutions of learning. The membership of the parish is being augmented in a most gratifying manner, and the finances are well regulated. The parish ministers to 1,062 families and 4,851 souls according to the 1931 church report. Six hundred and seventy children receive instruction in all grades in the Church School. Fifteen Sisters of St. Mary's of the Woods and one lay teacher are required for the teaching staff. The school is of the most modern type in design and equipment, and the newly completed Sisters Home is one of the most attractive buildings of Jasper.

When Father Huesler (note - the spelling changed in the book, not a typo) came to Saint Joseph's the parish consisted of only about 400 families and the buildings at that time were old and dilapidated, and the present splendid equipment is the result of many years of tireless effort on the part of Father Huesler. The school building now contains a large assembly hall and dining room, used not only by church groups but civic clubs and other groups of townspeople as well.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


CARL M. CLARK, physician and surgeon at Oakland City, was born in Southern Indiana and is one of the young men of sound education and ability who comprise the modern generations of doctors in this section of the state.

He was born in Pike County, Indiana, June 5, 1899. His father, Henry O. Clark, was a native of Vinton County, Ohio, and was brought to Pike County, Indiana, when four years of age. The Clarks came originally from Virginia. Henry O. Clark, now sixty-nine years of age, has followed the contracting business for many years. He married Lana A. McLaughlin, who was born in Pike County and died May 8, 1928. There were two children, Gertrude and Carl McLaughlin. Gertrude is the wife of William F. Sutton, of Pike county, living near Spurgeon.

Doctor Clark attended public schools in Pike County and after his high school course entered Oakland City College, where he was graduated Bachelor of Science. He completed his professional preparation in the University of Indiana School of Medicine, graduating M. D. in 1927. His interne experience was gained in the Saint Francis Hospital, and after practicing for a short time at Petersburg he located at Oakland City in February, 1928, and has rapidly gained favorable recognition for his talents and earnest work.

During the World war Doctor Clark was enrolled with the Students Army Training Corps in Oakland City and was given a commission as first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps. He is a member of the Gibson County, Indiana State and American Medical Associations, is a Republican and Royal Arch Mason and is a member of the American Legion.

Doctor Clark maried, June 5, 1923, Miss Mary Miller, of Vevay, Indiana, daughter of James D. and Mary (Joyce) Miller. They have one daughter, Ruth Ann, who was born July 14, 1928. An uncle of Mrs. Clark lived in the historic house at Vevay which was the birthplace of the author of The Hoosier Schoolmaster, Edward Eggleston.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


SCHULTZ BROTHERS, of Eberfield, are the millers of that community, carrying on an industry that has been long established and in former years was conducted by their father.

Their father was the late William Schultz, who was born in Germany and was brought to America when a child by his parents. The Schultz family have lived near Eberfield in Gibson County and has given three generations of hard working, earnest and high minded citizens to that community. William Schultz though a native of Germany proved his loyalty to American institutions by serving four years in the Union army during the Civil war. His business interests covered a wide field. He was a farmer, a saw mill owner and thresherman, and for many years operated a flour mill which is continued under the capable management of his sons. William Schultz died in 1911, at the age of sixty-nine.

He married Carrie Geörge, also a native of Germany, who was brought to this country when a girl. She passed away in 1884, the mother of thirteen children, the last two being twins, who died at birth. The other children were: Tena, Alvina, Mary, Ferdinand, who died in 1926, Rose, Henry, Fred, Tilly, Lyda, Adolph and Edward. Tena is the wife of Henry Bond, and her four children are Millie, Mary, Margaret and William. Alvina became the wife of Henry Schopjohn and has a family of six children, named Flora, Lena, Margaret, Freda, Rosa and Selma. Mary is the wife of George Manka and has two children, Esther and Arthur. Rose is the wife of Andrew Flitter, and they have twin daughters, Verdina and Oleta. Heny married Bertha Susott and has a family of five children, Alfred, Leodia, Virgil, Virles and Walter. Tilly is the wife of Louis Dassel, and their three children are Lorana, Cecil and Hirshell. Lyda became the wife of Al Speer and has a son, Melvin. Fred married Nora Susott and has two children, LeRoy and Norma. Edward married Alta Brown and has a son, Glenn. Adolph is unmarried and lives at home.

The firm of Schultz Brothers is made up of Edward, Henry and Fred Schultz, all of them practical business men, with a long active experience in the milling business. They operate a mill with a daily capacity of seventy barrels, and the output of flour and feed milled from soft winter wheat is sold and distributed all over Southern Indiana and adjacent states.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


RALPH N. TIREY, who in 1929 was chosen president of the Indiana State Teachers Association, has been a man prominent in educational affairs for many years and is well known over the state through the positions he has held and as a writer and lecturer on educational subjects.

Mr. Tirey, who is superintendent of city schools at Bloomington, was born at Mitchell, Indiana, November 10, 1882, son of William H. and Nancy (Gorges) Tirey. His grandfather, Joseph Tirey, came from North Carolina to Indiana in 1835 and was a pioneer farmer. William Tirey was a child when the family came to Indiana and when the Civil war came on he entered Company I of the Fiftieth Indiana Infantry and served four years with the Army of the Cumberland. It was the hardships of the war that eventually caused him the loss of his eyesight. After the war, until disabled, he engaged in farming and stock raising.

Ralph N. Tirey attended common and high schools at Mitchell, for one year was in the Southern Indiana Normal at Mitchell, pursuing the scientific course. In 1901 he began teaching in Lawrence County, and for three years was principal of the Springville School. For about two years he had charge of the school at Oolitic, near Bloomington, and was then elected county superintendent of schools. He held the office of county superintendent five years and from 1911 to 1918 was superintendent of schools at Vevay. In the intervals of his teaching he did work in Indiana University, won his B. A. degree in 1918 and in 1927 the State University conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree. He also completed a course in school administration in Harvard University during 1916.

Mr. Tirey was superintendent of schools at Washington, Indiana, for four years and in 1922 became superintendent at Bloomington. The several communities where he has been official head of the schools have set a high degree of appreciation on his constructive abilities. He is in every sense the practical educator, and he had made some valuable contributions to methods of teaching. He has prepared a series of text books for the lower grades, comprising exercises for developing the silent reading abilities, these to be brought out in public form in the near future. He is author of a monograph, "The Effects of Acceleration in Public Schools," which was published at Bloomington, and another special article that appeared in an educational magazine is a "Study on Character Education." Mr. Tirey married, September 15, 1909, Miss Io Short, daughter of Rev. Quincy and Alice (Dye) Short. Mrs. Tirey passed away June 30, 1920, and was buried at Mitchell. She left three children: Alice N., a sophomore in Indiana University; Dorothy, in high school; and Billy, a student in the grades. On November 11, 1922, Mr. Tirey married Inez Bonham, daughter of C. O. and Martha (Carnahan) Bonham, of Washington, Indiana.

Mr. Tirey is a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, the Phi Delta Kappa National Educational fraternity, is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, the Rotary Club, is a life member of the National Education Association and the National Department of Superintendent of Schools. He is an elder in the Christian Church, sings in the choir and teaches a men's class in Sunday School.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


JOHN FOSTER BROOKS. The history of road-building, as appertaining to artificial pathways forming through a country for the accommodation of travelers and the carriage of commodities, is a highly interesting one. Although the Romans set an example as road-builders, some of their public highways being still serviceable, the roads throughout Europe were in a wretched condition until toward the end of the eighteenth century, and in the United States real road construction, improvements and maintenance did not come for many years later. When the movement started, however, it progressed rapidly, and was given great impetus by the advent of the automobile, with the accompanying necessity for more, better and broader highways. Into this question also entered the matter of paving, for no road bed, however well it is constructed, can be considered complete if it is not given proper paving. In this connection may be mentioned the work of one of the foremost paving companies in Northern Indiana, the Brooks Construction Company, Inc., of Fort Wayne, the president and founder of which is John F. Brooks.

Mr. Brooks was born at Dunkirk, Indiana, September 29, 1882, and is a son of James Albert and Helen (Foster) Brooks, natives of Ohio. James Albert Brooks was born in 1857 and received a public school education until he was twelve years old. At the age of twenty-one, in 1878, he left the parental roof and went to Dunkirk, Indiana, where he embarked in a modest produce business. Under his energetic and able management this grew and prospered, and eventually he found it necessary to seek a broader field for his operations. Accordingly he moved with his family to Logansport, Indiana, where he established a wholesale produce business, with which he was identified until his death in 1909. Mr. Brooks possessed all the qualifications for success in a business of this character, and extended the scope of his operations all over the state, where he was widely known for his strict integrity and high character. He was a citizen of public spirit, but never sought public honors, and his only political connection was as a voter in support of the principles and candidates of his party. He married Miss Helen Foster, who was born in 1861 and died in 1917. They became the parents of two children: john F., of this review; and Rose, who died at the age of eleven years.

John F. Brooks was a child when taken by his parents to Logansport, where he received a grade and high school education. This was followed by a course at Culver Military Academy, at Culver, Indiana, and he then entered Purdue University. After leaving that institution he was employed from 1900 to 1902 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, and in the latter year became superintendent for the Moellerings Construction Company, of Fort Wayne. Resigning in 1905, he became assistant city engineer of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in which office he remained until 1908, then going to Manistee, Michigan, as city engineer, whence he then settled permanently at Fort Wayne, where he founded the Brooks Construction Company, Inc., paving contractors. During the more than twenty years that this business has been in existence it has carried through some of the largest paving contracts let in the state. Public confidence has been gained by the excellence and lasting qualities of the work done, as well as by the expeditious manner in which contracts are handled. As its president and founder Mr. Brooks epitomizes the successful business man of substantial character, great energy and sound integrity, and has gathered about him as associates other capable business men of Fort Wayne, including L. E. Ginn and Bruce C. Wilson, vice presidents, and Lillian E. Marsh, secretary-treasurer. Mr. Brooks is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and belongs to the Fort Wayne Country Club. His religious connection is with the Congregational Church.

On February 28, 1920, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage with Miss Emma S. Scheumann, of Fort Wayne, and to this union there have been born two sons, twins: James Edward and Robert Foster, born in 1923. The attractive family residence is situated at 4209 Drury Lane, and Mr. Brooks maintains commodious and well-appointed offices at 1123 Barthold Street.

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INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


JAMES EDWARD GUDGEL, M.D. The passing of forty-eight years brings changes to individuals and communities, but Dr. James Edward Gudgel, who came to the pleasant little city of Cynthiana, Indiana, as a young medical practitioner and has made his home here ever since, finds the old-time spirit of the place just the same in fact, though possibly newly named, as was the neighborly kindness that cheered and encouraged him with appreciation during those early days. Doctor Gudget has been at the head of his profession here for many years, known, honored and trusted all over Posey County for his sound medical knowledge and surgical skill. Like many another eminent professional man, he was born and spent his boyhood on a farm, but educational advantages were not denied him. Following the example of his eldest brother, who became distinguished in medicine, he directed his studies to medical science, applied himself closely, won his degree of Doctor of Medicine in early manhood, and in 1883 established himself in practice at Cynthiana. He is a member of the Ohio Valley Medical Association and of other scientific bodies, and is an authority on some laboratory work, having always kept abreast of the times professionally. He is one of the city's substantial and public-spirited men and gives generously to charity.

Doctor Gudgel was born on his father's farm in Gibson County, Indiana, March 10, 1858, a son of Andrew Gudgel, the latter of whom was also born in Gibson County, in which he continued to farm from young manhood until his death. The grandfather of Doctor Gudgel was born in Kentucky, while his father was a Pennsylvanian by birth, so that the family is shown to have been one of the early ones to be established in this country. Andrew Gudgel was one of the young patriors who responded to the call of President Lincoln for troops at the beginning of the war between the states, and enlisted, being one of the Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment and served for three years and three months when he was seriously injured by the bursting of a shell during the battle of Stone River. While it incapacitated him for further military service, he finally recovered, and lived to reach the advanced age of eighty-six years. He married Miss Alvira Wallace, a native of Gibson County, who died at the age of seventy-three years. Eight children were born to them, of whom two died in infancy, the others being: William H.; Dr. John F., who is now deceased; Levin W.; George; Doctor Gudgel; Elinora. William H. Gudgel was a graduate of DePauw University, practiced law at Evansville for many years and died in Washington State about 1919. Levin Gudgel was an attorney of prominence, but is now living retired in Gibson County. George Gudgel died at the age of eleven years. Elinora Gudgel married Jesse Muck, they have no children.

While Doctor Gudgel of this review secured his degree from the Evansville, Indiana, Medical College in 1882, he did post-graduate work in the Saint Louis, Missouri, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and spent one year in the City Hospital, Evansville. While he has never sought political honors he has been active in the Republican party at Cynthiana. The Presbyterian Church has held his membership since boyhood, and he is now one of its pillars. High in Masonry, he has been advanced to the thirty-second degree in that order, and he also belongs to Hadi Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Having made his money in this section Doctor Gudgel has felt that it is only right to invest it in local enterprises and realty, and has many important financial interests. During the World war he volunteered for service, enrolling October 8, 1918, but was not called, owing to the declaration of armistice making unnecessary any further military operations.

On Spetember 3, 1885, Doctor Gudgel married Miss Lizzie T. Smith, and they had four children born to them, namely: Eva, who died at the age of four years; Harold O., who is an official with the Indiana Oil Company lives at Vincennes, Indiana, and married Miss Ada Litsinger, no children; Marjorie, who died at the age of six months; and Helen, who is employed by the Indiana State Insurance Company, is unmarried, and resides at Indianapolis, Indiana. After the death of the first Mrs. Gudgel, on April 18, 1919, Doctor Gudgel married, in 1921, Miss Mabel Stinnett at Mount Vernon, Indiana. There are no children by the second marriage.

Doctor Gudgel is regarded among his professional associates and friends as a man of the highest character and his more than forty years of residence at Cynthiana has been a period of constant and honorable advancement in every relation which he has sustained, as well as in the city itself.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


IVAN W. BLASE. There are two kinds of men who make money. Those who make money only, and those who make money and make good as citizens, and Ivan W. Blase, postmaster of Cynthiana, is one of the latter. The first class is worth but little to the country; while from the earliest days in the commercial history of the nation the latter have been mighty contributors to the progress of the people. Postmaster Blase, within his sphere of action, has been as useful to his community and its people as conditions have permitted, has lived and worked honorably, and no higher praise can be given any man. He is a native son of Posey County, born here September 22, 1890.

Through his mother Postmaster Blase is descended from James Whiting, a native of Wales, who established his line in the American colonies in 1617. She was Clara M. Whiting before her marriage, and was born in 1870. The father, Charles L. Blase, was born at Indianapolis, Indiana, and is in the furniture business at Richmond, Virginia. Two children were born to the parents: Fred and Ivan W. Fred Blase was graduated from Leland Stanford University, California, but he took courses in Harvard University, the University of California, is also a graduate of DePauw University, and had a short course at King's College, London, England. During the World war he was in the service for two years, for one year of that time being in France with Company K, Col. Theodore Roosevelt's regiment, One Hundred and Eighty-eighty Division. At present he is a professor in Redwood, California, High School. He married Miss Vivian Benson, of Owensville, and they have one child. The erudition and high scholarship of this gentleman makes him a most noted educator, and his future stretches out before him with bright promises.

While his brother from earliest childhood has displayed a scholarship that was most unusual, Postmaster Blase, on the other hand, showed his aptness for business life, and when he had completed his work in the common and high schools of Cynthiana he entered a local store, and continued as a member of its selling force for three years. In the meanwhile he used his leisure time to improve himself, and, taking up civil engineering, was able to secure a position on the surveying force of the Big Four Railroad Company, and held it for four years. Returning then to Cynthiana, he went into business for himself, handling produce of all kinds, and building up wide connections all over Posey county, and continued in that line until his appointment as postmaster, in 1926, by President Coolidge, which office he still retains. Under his able and businesslike administration the affairs of the office have been brought into splendid condition and the satisfaction with him is universal. In addition to other public work he has performed Postmaster Blase was town clerk of Cynthiana for eight years, and president of the water board. He is a director of the Mutual Building & Loan Association of Cynthiana, and is interested in other local undertakings. All his life he has been a Republican and a staunch party man. High in Masonry, he has been advanced in the Scottish Rite, and he belongs to Hadi Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Evansville, and is a member of the local camp of the Modern Woodsmen of America. The Methodist Episcopal Church is his religious home, and he is active in church affairs.

In May, 1914, Postmaster Blase was married to Gertrude F. Taylor, a daughter of Daniel and Laura (Williams) Taylor, and they have one child, Rex Eugene, who was born in February, 1915. From the above brief record it is easy to determine that Postmaster Blase is a man who represents what is highest and best in America citizenship. He has been and is successful, and his success is of his own making.

INDIANA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT Vol. 5
By Charles Roll, A.M.
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1931


Deb Murray